The Chinese language makes it easy to play with words and symbols. Homonyms (words sharing same pronunciation with different meanings) are common in folklore and stories.

In celebrations of food around the New Year, many dishes and ingredients sound like Good Luck words and phrases, and foods become symbolic in eating and offering. Food offerings are a prayer to ancestors or the Jade Emperor and The Kitchen God.

New Year food presentations are part of the offerings to the Gods, so presenting a ‘whole’ chicken with its head, tail and feet symbolises completeness. Fresh bean curd / tofu is not included as it is white and unlucky for New Year, as the colour signifies death and misfortune. Fresh fruits symbolise life and new beginnings. Sugared fruits sweeten the upcoming year.

Sweets and fruits are served on a round tray, resembling togetherness, and it is called the ‘Tray of Togetherness’. Sweets offered on the tray add up to 8, because eight is a lucky number and symbolises fortune. A coin might be hidden in one dumpling, and the person who finds it will be showered with good fortune and wealth.

Here are some food homonyms for Chinese New Year Celebrations. Enjoy and good wishes to an abundant and radiant New Year!

About Cora Wen

CORA WEN grew up in a traditional Chinese family in Asia and the West, and took refuge in the Buddha as a teen. An international childhood growing up in Hong Kong and Indonesia, Switzerland, Australia and the US, has instilled the spirit of a travelling adventurer. After sowing wild oats in New York City in the 70s with rockers Deborah Harry and Patti Smith, she had careers in fashion and banking. Since 1994, Cora has taught Yoga, mentored by America’s most influential Yoga lineage. She has been dedicated since 2002 in support of indigenous culture for exiled Tibetan people and land mine victims. Find her at www.corawen.com.